Posted by Skidmore Athletics
GENEVA, N.Y—The Men's basketball team in a thrilling game for the Liberty League Championship bested Hobart with a 69-66 win. For a second year in a row Skidmore will participate in the NCAA Division III tournament.
This win not only sets a record of 19 wins for the Skidmore program, but also ends a seven game losing streak to Hobart, which started in January of 2010.
Shooting 55.3 percent from the floor, including 8-of-18 from the 3-point range, Skidmore took a 30-28 lead by halftime. At the start of the second half Skidmore went on a 12-2 run but its effect was negated when Hobart returned the burst of momentum and went 13-3 to leave Skidmore with a 58-57 lead with 3:39 left.
The game took a turn for the worst for Skidmore as Hobart Statesmen Joe Gibbons '14 grabbed a sixth offensive rebound and laid it up for two. Terron Victoria' 12 gave Skidmore back the lead with a 3-pointer only to have it lost as Hobart's Richie Bonney'14 tied the game. Determined for a second Liberty League championship, Victoria fired off a second 3-pointer that gave the Thoroughbreds a lasting lead. With seconds left and the score at 69-66, Hobart had a final shot that just missed its target to end the game.
Victoria finished the game with 16 points. Gerard O'Shea '12 added 16 points of his own as well as a game-high eight assists. Brian Lowry '13 chipped in another 10 points and John Mantas '12 had six points and a team-high five rebounds. Victoria was awarded Tournament MVP for his skill and leadership.
The Thoroughbreds get an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament. The Championship field is to be announced Monday, Feb.27 on NCAA.com